AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 3

DEAF PRESIDENT NOW

Created By: Sarah Pilkington, Kayla Mauser, Alli Blackburn, Alaina Alberts, Paige Chambers, Lane Flake, and Zane Miller

What?

Where?

DPN Video

• Took place at Gallaudet University, located in Washington D.C.
• Protest started
• football stadium -> elementary school -> largest classroom at Gallaudet -> President's home -> ended at the statue of the first President of Gallaudet

The students of Gallaudet University led a protest called Deaf President Now from March 6, 1988 - March 13, 1988.

The protest started when Elisabeth A. Zinser, a hearing individual, was elected 7th president of Gallaudet University over three candidates, one named Irving King Jordan, who were all deaf.

The Board of Trustees, made up of majority hearing individuals, chose Elisabeth A. Zinser.

The students thought a deaf individual should be president of the university.

Previously Viewed - Currently Viewed

Lasting Effects?

"The motivation behind the protest for DPN was not simply about the current election, but about uniting and strengthening deaf students, faculty, and staff."

Their four demands were met.

They were able to elect a Deaf president.

The protest unified the community of Gallaudet. It showed their deep ties to their Deaf heritage.

Previously:

• Students struggled for deaf representation at their own university.
• Recognition that they were just as capable as hearing individuals.

Now:

• Finally recognized that Deaf individuals are capable.
• Government action came into play to better aid those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.
• The bond of the Deaf community was solidified through DPN.

The students demanded 4 things:

1) Elisabeth Zinser must resign and a deaf person selected president

2) Jane Spilman must step down as chairperson of the Board of Trustees

3) Deaf individuals must constitute a 51% majority on the Board

4) No reprisals against any student, staff member, or alumni involved in the protest

Conclusion of DPN

Current Issues?

Encouragement?

The Deaf President Now protest was a very important and momentous event in the Deaf culture.

As they took a stand, together, for what they believed in, they too showed the world the voice that they have.

• Fighting for equality in a hearing world

• "Frequently and all too easily, the rights of people who are deaf get stripped away. Every day, deaf individuals attempting to interact with hearing authorities, emergency responders, or organizations are denied basic access to communication and, in some instances; their lives are put into jeopardy" (Callis, 2016, para 3).

It affects the deaf community by showing the rest of the world that Deaf people do have a voice.

The week of Deaf President Now showed people in the Deaf community that they are able to show the rest of the world that they are not silent in what they believe in and to pursue everything that comes their way.

Kahoot:

https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/5c6b3a69-cdad-4ec4-ade7-68e0a92c9d88